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Barry SmithHockey coach
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Barry Smith - American Hockey Coach and Manager
Barry Smith is an American hockey coach and manager who was born in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in the northern suburb of Tonawanda and attended Ken-West High School. During his college years at Ithaca College, he participated in three different sports - American football under the renowned coach Jim Butterfield, lacrosse, and hockey.
In the years 1972-1973, Smith played as a wide receiver for the semi-professional team "Twin City Geminis". He began his coaching career in 1975, becoming the head coach of the Elmira College team while pursuing a Master's degree in Education. Under his guidance, the team won the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference title three times and reached the finals of the NCAA Division III twice.
From 1981 to 1984, Smith worked in Sweden, and from 1984 to 1986, he was in Norway with the club "Frisk Asker" and the national team. From March 1986 until the end of the 1988/89 season, Smith served as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres, also serving as the director of the team's summer hockey school. In the 1989-90 season, he worked in Italy with the club "Alleghe" and the national team.
From the 1990/91 season to 1992/93, Smith was an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins under Scotty Bowman and Bob Johnson. In 1991, he worked as an assistant coach for the United States national team under Bob Johnson during the Canada Cup. From July 28, 1993, until the end of the 2004-05 season, Smith served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings under Bowman and Dave Lewis. During the 1996-97 season, he also worked with the Swedish club "Malmo". In 1996, he was an assistant coach for the Swedish national team under Kent Forsberg during the World Cup, and in 1998, he served in the same role during the Olympic Games in Nagano.
From August 8, 2005, to April 2007, Smith was an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes under Wayne Gretzky. He has won the Stanley Cup five times as an assistant coach, with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992, and with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997, 1998, and 2002.
From April 10, 2007, to March 2010, Smith served as the head coach of SKA Saint Petersburg. In 2010, he joined the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, initially as an advisor and scout, and later as the director of player development.
Awards
Throughout his career, Barry Smith has received numerous accolades and honors. He was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, the Ithaca College Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Ken-West High School Hall of Fame.
